News of Rast’s death comes on the heels of the DoD’s announcement on Thursday that another member of The Lone Star Battalion, Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Smith, 26, of Arlington, Texas, had died while conducting combat operations in Helmand.

Smith, a light armored vehicle crewman, joined the Marine Corps on June 16, 2003. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. He had previously deployed to Iraq three times.

Smith’s awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold service star in lieu of a 2nd award, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, among others.

Rast, 23, of Niles, Mich. enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 1, 2009. He was stationed at Naval Medical Center San Diego’s Directorate for Nursing Services, before being attached as a hospitalman to 1/23 for deployment to Afghanistan.

His awards include National Defense Service Medal, Pistol Marksmanship Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Rast is survived by his father, Robert Rast from Southbend, Ind. and his stepfather Jerome Tibone, of Niles, Mich.

“He was a remarkable Sailor who was respected by his peers and co-workers for his integrity and strong work ethic, and was frequently complimented by his patients for his outstanding customer service skills,” Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Pietro Martone said in a written statement. “We are saddened by this loss; Hospitalman Rast will be missed.”

More information from the Navy’s press release:

Naval Medical Center San Diego staff is mourning the loss of Hospitalman Rast and has established an electronic memory book for staff as a way to share their private thoughts, memories and condolences, which will be compiled and provided as a tribute to Hospitalman Rast’s family.

Chaplain services are available around the clock to all NMCSD staff in need of comfort and prayer during this time of grievance.

Naval Medical Center San Diego is scheduled to host a memorial ceremony in honor of Hospitalman Rast later this month.

More than 800 citizen-Marines from 1/23, which is headquartered at Houston’s Ellington Field, deployed in March to Afghanistan for a seven-month combat tour.

The incidents are under investigation. Please check back for updates.

UPDATE:

WFAA out of Dallas/Fort Worth is reporting that Smith’s family members say he might have been killed by friendly fire.

The 2003 graduate of Martin High School in Arlington is being remembered as someone who left a lasting impression. His guidance counselor, Susan Kingen, fought back tears as she described Smith, saying he was driven, compassionate and someone she knew would succeed.

She said she is devastated by his death, but also praises his commitment to defending his country. She told News 8 that Smith was inspired to do so after September 11.

At Smith’s Arlington home Friday morning, family members told News 8 they have been told friendly fire may be the cause of Smith’s death. The Department of Defense is still investigating the incident.

Family members said Smith’s parents spent Friday morning at Dover Air Force Base awaiting the return of their son’s body.

An official with International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan told the Houston Chronicle today that no information will be released while the incident is under investigation.

UPDATE 2:

Copied below is a military press release announcing a friendly fire incident that killed two service members in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, on the same day and in the same general area where Smith and Rast died.

Please note, the military has not confirmed that Smith and Rast are the two service members mentioned in this release. I’ve been told to check back Monday for more information.

ISAF Joint Command – Afghanistan

2011-04-C-017

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 6, 2011) – Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a friendly fire incident in southern Afghanistan today.

An ISAF Joint Command incident assessment team is looking into the incident. A formal investigation will determine the circumstances that led to the incident.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

UPDATE 3:

In this article about Rast from a Michigan TV station, his father is quoted as saying he was killed by a Hellfire missile, and that he fears he might have been killed by friendly fire.

Hospitalman Benjamin Rast died Wednesday after being hit by a hellfire missile. His family learned of his death late Wednesday night. Ben’s father, Robert Rast, told NewsCenter 16 that Ben was the best son a man could ask for.

Rast’s former girlfriend and high school sweetheart Nicole Ignowski says she’s known Ben since she was 14 years old, and learning of his death has been one of the hardest moments of her life. “I dated him for like five years,” Ignowski said, choking back tears. “So I like grew up with him. You know, I’m only 21 so he was with me for like a fourth of my life.”

Ben was a 2006 graduate of Brandywine High School, and while he was a student football was his one true passion. Ignowski recalled watching him play his senior year. She said he was injured during the second game of the season, but continued to cheer his team on from the bench at every practice and game.

After graduating high school, Ben went on to study at Lake Michigan College. He majored in law enforcement and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

Ignowski said it had always been Ben’s dream to trade his high school football uniform for the uniform of a sailor. Ben joined the Navy and was first stationed in California. Then he volunteered to go to Afghanistan.